Meet Farhad Danesh, M.D.
Farhad R. Danesh
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Danesh
The primary interest of our research group is to delineate the molecular mechanisms through which diabetic nephropathy progresses, and to identify and characterize novel molecular targets that could potentially prevent progression of diabetic kidney disease. We utilize animal models of diabetes to accomplish these ambitious goals. Along these lines, we aim to examine the novel regulatory factors that lead to the development and/or progression of diabetic nephropathy. We are currently testing two broad objectives. The first is to gain insight into the pathobiology of mitochondria in the kidneys. In particular, we want to understand the biological functions of mitochondrial dynamics and how disrupting the functions of mitochondria contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. Our group discovered that mitochondrial dynamics is a major molecular mechanism implicated in glucose-mediated microvascular organ damage (Wang W et al. Cell Met. 2012,15:186-200).. This has created a paradigm shift in the field. The second is to understand the regulatory effects of microRNAs in microvascular complications of diabetes. Our laboratory has been on the forefront of identifying multiple miRNAs and their downstream effectors in the kidney. We have recently published novel observations on the potential effects of miRNAs in diabetic nephropathy (Long J. et al: J. Biol. Chem. 2010, 285:23457–23465; and Long J. et al: J. Biol. Chem. 2011, 286: 11837-11848). These collective efforts have significantly accelerated the process of assessing the role of miRNAs in the pathobiology of diabetic nephropathy. Collectively, our research paradigm uses a combined approach of molecular genetics, genomics and epigenomics to understand the underlying pathological and molecular basis of diabetic nephropathy.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Professor of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1989 | University of Alcala, Madrid, ESP, MD, Medicine |
Postgraduate Training
| 1998-1999 | Research Fellowship, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| 1996-1998 | Nephrology Fellowship, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| 1993-1996 | Internship/Residency, University of Chicago / Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL |
| 1991-1992 | Research Fellowship, University of Toronto, Toronto |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chief, Section of Nephrology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health Chair Search Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2021 - Present
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Coellar JD, Long J, Danesh FR. Long Noncoding RNAs and Their Therapeutic Promise in Diabetic Nephropathy. Nephron:1-11. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33853077.
- Malyszko J, Bamias A, Danesh FR, Debska-Slizien A, Gallieni M, Gertz MA, Kielstein JT, Tesarova P, Wong G, Cheung M, Wheeler DC, Winkelmayer WC, Porta C, Conference Participants. KDIGO Controversies Conference on onco-nephrology: kidney disease in hematological malignancies and the burden of cancer after kidney transplantation. Kidney Int 98(6):1407-1418, 2020. PMID: 33276867.
- Long J, Galvan DL, Mise K, Kanwar YS, Li L, Poungavrin N, Overbeek PA, Chang BH, Danesh FR. Role for carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) in high glucose-mediated repression of long noncoding RNA Tug1. J Biol Chem 295(47):15840-15852, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32467232.
- Capasso A, Benigni A, Capitanio U, Danesh FR, Di Marzo V, Gesualdo L, Grandaliano G, Jaimes EA, Malyszko J, Perazella MA, Qian Q, Ronco P, Rosner MH, Trepiccione F, Viggiano D, Zoccali C, Capasso G, International Conference on Onco-Nephrology Participants. Summary of the International Conference on Onco-Nephrology: an emerging field in medicine. Kidney Int 96(3):555-567, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31445584.
- Green NH, Galvan DL, Badal SS, Chang BH, LeBleu VS, Long J, Jonasch E, Danesh FR. MTHFD2 links RNA methylation to metabolic reprogramming in renal cell carcinoma. Oncogene 38(34):6211-6225, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31289360.
- Galvan DL, Long J, Green N, Chang BH, Lin JS, Schumacker P, Truong LD, Overbeek P, Danesh FR. Drp1S600 phosphorylation regulates mitochondrial fission and progression of nephropathy in diabetic mice. J Clin Invest 130(7):2807-2823, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31063459.
- Long J, Danesh FR. Values and Limitations of Targeting lncRNAs in Diabetic Nephropathy. Diabetes 67(4):552-553, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29559513.
- Galvan DL, Badal SS, Long J, Chang BH, Schumacker PT, Overbeek PA, Danesh FR. Real-time in vivo mitochondrial redox assessment confirms enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in diabetic nephropathy. Kidney Int 92(5):1282-1287, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28754553.
- Galvan DL, Green NH, Danesh FR. The hallmarks of mitochondrial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int 92(5):1051-1057, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28893420.
- Long J, Badal SS, Ye Z, Wang Y, Ayanga BA, Galvan DL, Green NH, Chang BH, Overbeek PA, Danesh FR. Long noncoding RNA Tug1 regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in diabetic nephropathy. J Clin Invest 126(11):4205-4218, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27760051.
- Ayanga BA, Badal SS, Wang Y, Galvan DL, Chang BH, Schumacker PT, Danesh FR. Dynamin-Related Protein 1 Deficiency Improves Mitochondrial Fitness and Protects against Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy. J Am Soc Nephrol 27(9):2733-47, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26825530.
- Badal SS, Wang Y, Long J, Corcoran DL, Chang BH, Truong LD, Kanwar YS, Overbeek PA, Danesh FR. miR-93 regulates Msk2-mediated chromatin remodelling in diabetic nephropathy. Nat Commun 28(7):12076-82, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27350436.
- Wang W, Wang Y, Long J, Wang J, Haudek SB, Overbeek P, Chang BH, Schumacker PT, Danesh FR. Mitochondrial fission triggered by hyperglycemia is mediated by ROCK1 activation in podocytes and endothelial cells. Cell Metab 15(2):186-200, 2012. PMID: 22326220.
- Danesh FR, Sadeghi MM, Amro N, Philips C, Zeng L, Lin S, Sahai A, Kanwar YS. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors prevent high glucose-induced proliferation of mesangial cells via modulation of Rho GTPase/ p21 signaling pathway: Implications for diabetic nephropathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(12):8301-5, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12048257.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Rho Kinases in diabetic nephropathy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDDK |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | MicroRNAs in diabetic nephropathy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDDK |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |